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Thursday, May 14, 2026

Tag: contamination
April 2, 2026
Health

MAHA: Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals Listed as Contaminants in Water Supply for First Time.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has added microplastics and pharmaceuticals to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft list of contaminants for the first time.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, public health officials, and government regulators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Thursday as part of the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate List update under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

💬KEY QUOTE: “One analysis estimates that the average person ingests tens of thousands microplastic particles each year through food, water, and air. Another study reports concentrations in the brain equivalent by mass to roughly a spoonful of plastic in every human brain.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: The move allows local regulators to evaluate risks and may lead to further research and regulation.

IN FULL

The Trump administration on Thursday moved to list, for the first time, microplastics and pharmaceuticals under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft list of contaminants impacting the nation’s drinking water. In announcing the decision, the EPA billed the inclusion of microplastics and pharmaceuticals as a “historic step” for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, which aims to address toxic chemicals and plastic pollution in the environment that negatively impact human health.

“One analysis estimates that the average person ingests tens of thousands microplastic particles each year through food, water, and air. Another study reports concentrations in the brain equivalent by mass to roughly a spoonful of plastic in every human brain,” noted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“For too long, Americans have vocalized concerns about plastics and pharmaceuticals in their drinking water. That ends today,” concurred EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA is required to update its Contaminant Candidate List every five years. The draft list now includes microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), among other chemicals.

The inclusion of these contaminants provides local regulators with tools to evaluate risks and lays the groundwork for further research and regulatory action, although it does not guarantee immediate action.

The National Pulse reported in February last year that researchers from the University of New Mexico identified microplastics in human brain tissue, with concentrations far exceeding those in other organs. The study reveals a 50 percent increase in brain microplastics over the past eight years. Notably, other studies have found that micro- and nanoplastic particles are more concentrated in the placentae of infants born prematurely than in those delivered at term, suggesting that plastic accumulation in the placenta may be linked to the risk of preterm birth.

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December 16, 2024
News

Salt Recalled Due to Potential Contamination.

Compass Minerals America Inc., headquartered in Kansas, has initiated a recall for specific salt products due to potential contamination with foreign materials. The recall, first announced last month, affects a range of products, including bulk salt in one metric ton totes, 50-pound bags of special purity granulated food-grade salt, and 44-pound bags of Sifto HyGrade salt. These products were distributed across the U.S. to states such as Maine, Indiana, and Wisconsin and to Canadian customers.

Following the discovery, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as Class II on December 13. Class II classification indicates that the use of or exposure to the product in question may lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, with the unlikely chance of severe health effects. Anyone possessing these recalled items has been advised to discontinue their use immediately. Further instructions and details on the recall can be found on the FDA and Compass Minerals’ official websites.

The specific lot codes under this recall include 3240923, 3240924, 3241011, 3241022, 3241029, and 3241102. The company, known for its responsible business practices, has been featured on Newsweek‘s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for four consecutive years due to its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives—which the news outlet weights as a ‘positive.’

Ed Dowling, Compass Minerals’ president and CEO, emphasized the importance of sustainability in their operations and the pride they take in positively influencing communities and environmental stewardship. Newsweek‘s “Responsible Companies” list, in partnership with Statista, evaluates companies based on publicly available ESG performance data and a survey of 26,000 U.S. residents.

Image by Castorly Stock.

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Compass Minerals America Inc., headquartered in Kansas, has initiated a recall for specific salt products due to potential contamination with foreign materials. The recall, first announced last month, affects a range of products, including bulk salt in one metric ton totes, 50-pound bags of special purity granulated food-grade salt, and 44-pound bags of Sifto HyGrade salt. These products were distributed across the U.S. to states such as Maine, Indiana, and Wisconsin and to Canadian customers. show more